In a shocking incident at Grand Central Terminal on Christmas morning, two teenage girls visiting from South America were stabbed by a troubled vagrant who expressed his desire to see "all white people dead." The attack occurred at Tartinery in the Grand Central Dining Concourse, where the girls were having a meal with their parents. The suspect, identified as Steven Hutcherson, 36, had a history of mental health issues and a long list of prior arrests.

Witnesses recounted that Hutcherson had entered the restaurant and demanded a table without ordering anything. When he was refused, he pointed to the victims' family, who were not eating at the time, and became irate. He then grabbed a knife and attacked the unsuspecting girls, plunging it into the 16-year-old's back and stabbing the younger girl in the thigh. Transit police officers nearby responded swiftly, causing Hutcherson to drop the knife upon their arrival. The victims were quickly transported to Bellevue Hospital for treatment and were later released.

Hutcherson's arrest came as a shock to Yussif Abdullahi, a man who had been threatened by Hutcherson just last month. Abdullahi, who had encountered Hutcherson in the Bronx, expressed his outrage that the suspect had been released before allegedly committing this violent act. In their previous encounter, Hutcherson had displayed aggressive behavior and threatened Abdullahi with a firearm, leading to his arrest on charges of criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, harassment, and assault. Hutcherson later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of third-degree assault and was given a conditional discharge.

This recent incident has raised questions about the criminal justice system's handling of individuals with a history of violence and mental health issues. Hutcherson had a rap sheet with 17 prior arrests and had been classified as an "emotionally disturbed person" in previous encounters with law enforcement. The victim in the Bronx case expressed his disappointment in the police, claiming that they did not take appropriate action when he reported the threat made against him.

Hutcherson's arrest also shed light on other incidents involving erratic behavior and violent tendencies. He had been previously arrested for smashing a display case at a department store in Manhattan, causing significant damage. In addition, there were reports of him screaming on a street in the Bronx and being involved in a dispute at a subway station, during which he was stabbed.

The Paraguay Consulate General confirmed that the teenage girls involved in Monday's attack were visiting from Paraguay. They labeled Hutcherson as having "psychiatric problems." The suspect's arraignment was expected to take place in Manhattan Criminal Court, where he faced charges of attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Overall, this incident has sparked concerns about the treatment of individuals with a history of violence and mental health issues within the criminal justice system. The failure to detain Hutcherson after previous violent incidents has led to outrage and demands for reform.